Today’s Reading: Job 6:8-13

“What strength do I have that I should continue to hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?” 

Job 6:11

Reflection

In all circumstances, God gives us strength and hope. Job – after losing his children and possessions in one day and falling ill with painful sores from his head to his feet – is wearied completely. To add to that, his friends tell him that he deserves the pain he is experiencing. They wrongly assume that Job is being punished for sinning against God. Upon hearing their words, Job declares that all of his strength has been depleted, that he is hopeless.

Job has lost all hope in his circumstances. He has no strength left to endure what he is going through. But there is hope that he refers to when he thinks of God. It is found in God Himself. Job says in his pain, “if only… God would provide what I hope for: that He would decide to crush me…” Job does not know why God has preserved him to this point, but He knows that it is God Who will determine either Job’s death or his deliverance. He doesn’t know why he is experiencing trials, but he knows that God can relieve him from his agony. And while Job at this point asks God for death, God will later provide what is better. God will grant deliverance and restore Job’s life as a testimony of His Sovereignty.

When our finite strength is drained and our hope in ourselves is lost, neither is ever exhausted in God. To have the LORD’s strength is to be able to go where He is leading. To know His hope is to be assured of His Perfect Will unfolding in our lives. Thanks be to God that we have more than ourselves to rely on, that we have Him in our midst to preserve us!

Prayer

Sovereign God, there is none like You. When I am depleted, I can be assured that You never grow weak or weary. I remain hopeful in Your steadfast faithfulness. In my weakness Lord, please preserve me. Quell my doubts and calm my fears. Help me to rely on You in all situations. Please guide me in Your ways, that I would remain faithful to You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, AMEN.

Bible-in-a-Year Reading Plan (credit: Biblestudytools.com):
Matthew 27:1-31; Deuteronomy 5-6; Job 6